Do you need planning permission for commercial solar in the UK?
Most rooftop commercial solar in England is Permitted Development up to 1 MWp and does not need planning permission. Panels must sit no more than 200 mm above the roof plane and the building must not be listed or in a conservation area. Ground-mounted arrays above 9 m² and any array on a listed or heritage building always need a planning application.
Last updated 26 July 2026.
Key facts at a glance
| Rooftop PD threshold (Eng, non-domestic) | Up to 1 MWp |
|---|---|
| Max panel height above roof | 200 mm |
| Listed buildings | Listed building consent required |
| Conservation areas | Planning application usually required |
| Ground-mount PD limit | 9 m² total array area |
| Wales / Scotland / NI | Similar but slightly different thresholds |
Legislation
In England, the relevant law is the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 14. April 2023 amendments removed the 1 MWp cap on rooftop commercial solar, but conditions (setback, no impact on listed status, panels facing away from highways in some cases) still apply.
Devolved differences
Scotland and Wales operate separate Permitted Development regimes. Scotland's rooftop non-domestic PD threshold is also generous but the tests differ. Northern Ireland requires a planning application for any commercial solar above 50 kWp.
Related reading
FAQ
Do listed buildings need planning permission for solar?
Yes — listed buildings always require Listed Building Consent for solar panels, even where PD would otherwise apply. Consent is often granted for non-visible roof slopes.
Does a solar carport need planning permission?
Carports below 3 m eaves and within existing car-park boundaries often fall under PD. Anything visible from a public highway, or in a conservation area, usually needs a planning application.
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